Not everyone has the space for a garden. But that does not mean they cannot grow tomatoes that are just as delicious as those grown outdoors. Growing tomatoes indoors can be done as successfully as they can be grown outside in a garden.
The first step in growing indoor tomatoes is to choose which variety of tomato you want to plant. Determinate varieties may be better for indoor growing, as they do not grow as large as indeterminate varieties. Crack-resistant types of tomatoes are also a good choice, as they will do better under the lights required for indoor growing.
Deciding where in your house to grow the tomatoes will depend on several factors. It is necessary to be able to get to the plant frequently to care for it, but the tomatoes should at the same time be kept out of high-traffic areas. It also has to be an area of your living space that will not get very cold, as basements and garages tend to. The floor may also be too cold, so consider growing the plants on a table. In fact, no matter where you place the plant, it should always remain warm. The temperature should stay above 60?F (about 15.5?C) at night and be at or above 70?F (about 21?C) during the day.
Tomato plants require lots of light. This is a key concern in growing them indoors. Sometimes, a location in the home that gets ample sunlight is sufficient, but often grow lights are necessary. For tomatoes in particular, a light that produces about 40 watts per square foot is needed. Grow lights may be HID, HPS, LED or MH. HID, HPS and MH are all high-intensity lights that closely resemble natural sunlight. LED lights have a long life and come in a variety of colors so you can choose the one that works best for your plant. Grow lights can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
Once the plants have a location and are in their pots, they will need to be monitored and cared for. Tomato plants need 12 to 14 hours of light from the grow lamps every day. Keep the lamps about an inch (2.5 centimeters) from the top of the plant.
The plants may need to be transplanted as they grow, as tomato plants can grow to be large. They will also need thorough, regular watering. Too much or too little water can harm the plant and ruin the fruit. The soil should dry out between watering.
Eventually, the tomatoes will start to appear on the plant as yellow blooms. At this point, the plants need phosphorus, which they can get from bone meal scratched into the top of the soil.
The plant will also need to be pollinated. Usually, the wind will pollinate the plant, but because it is being grown indoors away from the wind, it will be necessary to do this process by hand. You can simply shake the plant gently to allow it to pollinate. This can be done about once every week during the time in which the plant is producing blooms.
All tomato plants need support as they grow. A cage or stake will give the plant some support as it becomes heavier and heavier from the ripening fruit. Gently attach the plant to its support and allow it to continue growing.
Soon, you’ll be enjoying fresh tomatoes grown right in your own home.
By: Adam J Bradley
About the Author:
Adam Bradley just wanted some great tasting tomatoes! He and his family had so much fun “tomato farming” that it got out of hand. When people began asking for advice he decided to use his first hand knowledge and research all about growing tomatoes indoors rather than seedlings. He encourages anyone who would like some great tips, to try his free Mini-Course, at Tomato Garden Center.
